Cement glossary

Composite Portland Cement offering 35 MPa strength at 28 days. Used for standard masonry, simple slabs and unreinforced foundations. Price on request (availability varies). NM 10.1.004 compliant.

Composite Portland Cement offering 45 MPa strength at 28 days. Ideal for standard reinforced concrete, slabs and foundations. NM 10.1.004 compliant.

Composite Portland Cement offering 55 MPa strength at 28 days. Recommended for major civil engineering works, infrastructure and coastal areas.

Type of hydraulic cement composed mainly of clinker ground with gypsum. Composite Portland cements (CPJ) contain additions. NM 10.1.004 and EN 197-1 compliant.

White-colored cement used for decorative applications (tiling, sculpture, decorative renders). More expensive than grey cement (3,500 DH/T vs tarif sur devis).

Cement or mortar containing waterproofing admixtures. Used for pools, basements, reservoirs and buried structures requiring watertightness.

Cement resistant to very high temperatures (up to 1500°C). Used for industrial furnaces, chimneys and fireplaces.

Cement whose initial setting occurs within 5 to 15 minutes. Used for urgent repairs, anchoring and fast sealing.

Cement-based mortar used to bond tiles, ceramics and stone. Classified per EN 12004 (C1, C2, C2TE, S1, S2 by strength and flexibility).

Concrete prepared at a plant and delivered by mixer truck. A blend of cement, sand, gravel, water and admixtures. Price: 1,500-2,000 DH/m³ depending on dosage.

Intermediate material obtained by firing limestone and clay at 1450°C. Ground with gypsum and additions, it yields cement. DAM imports and grinds clinker in Dakhla.

Mineral added to clinker during grinding (3 to 5%) to regulate cement setting time. Without gypsum, cement would set instantly on contact with water.

Unit of measurement for cement compressive strength. 1 MPa ≈ 10 kg/cm². CPJ 45 reaches 45 MPa, CPJ 55 reaches 55 MPa at 28 days.

Cement fineness index measured in m²/kg. The higher the value, the finer and more reactive the cement. CPJ 45: ≥ 350 m²/kg, CPJ 55: ≥ 380 m²/kg.

Delay between adding water to cement and the start of hardening. Initial set ≥ 45 min for CPJ 45, ≥ 60 min for CPJ 55. Final set < 10h.

Ability of hardened cement to withstand crushing force. Measured at 7 and 28 days. It is the main classification criterion (45 or 55 MPa).

Manufacturing step consisting of milling clinker and additions into a fine powder. The DAM grinding center in Dakhla has a capacity of 100,000 tonnes/year.

Delivery of cement in bulk by tanker truck with direct pumping into the site silo. Minimum 30 tonnes. Ideal for large sites.

Packaging of cement in 50 kg bags, grouped on 1-tonne pallets (20 bags). Suited to masonry and small sites.

Flexible 1-tonne container of cement, handled by crane or forklift. Ideal for medium sites without a silo.

Moroccan standard defining cement specifications. It classifies cements (CPJ 45, CPJ 55) and sets their physical and chemical requirements.

European standard equivalent to NM 10.1.004. Defines the composition, requirements and conformity criteria for common cements in Europe.

Construction material combining concrete (compression-resistant) and steel reinforcement (tension-resistant). Recommended dosage: 350 kg/m³ of CPJ 45 or CPJ 55 cement.

Quantity of cement per m³ of concrete, expressed in kg/m³. Typical: 350 kg/m³ (reinforced concrete), 400 kg/m³ (high strength), 300 kg/m³ (foundations), 250 kg/m³ (blinding concrete).

Heat release during cement setting (hydration). Important in massive structures (dams) to avoid thermal cracking.

Chemical reaction between cement and water causing hardening. This reaction releases heat (exotherm) and forms hydrates that provide strength.

Operation consisting of thoroughly blending cement, aggregates, water and admixtures to obtain homogeneous concrete. Recommended duration: 1 to 2 minutes after adding water.

Maintaining concrete moisture after pouring to allow complete hydration. Essential to reach the specified strength. Minimum duration: 7 days.